A COUNCIL is being urged to tell residents whether their homes will be bulldozed.

The Government plans to demolish up to 880,000 homes in run-down town and city centres across northern England and the Midlands.

The plan could affect 25,000 people who live in terraced streets in Middlesbrough.

There are 10,600 houses in the area and 700 are empty.

A report on options for the area is being put to Middlesbrough Council's executive next month but people living in the town are demanding more information now.

Eddie Johnson, who lives in the town centre, said residents should be told where the council plans to send in the bulldozers to stop the possibility of planning blight, in which homeowners cannot plan for the future.

He said: "I am pressing local councillors to help remove the blight as soon as possible by saying which streets are detailed for demolition, should they decide to press ahead, so that the planning blight can be lifted.

"Our pensioners who own their own homes are particularly worried as they do not want to start paying rent and higher council taxes if forced into modern, less sturdy structures, with no cultural or community attachments."

Councillor Bob Brady, Middlesbrough's Deputy Mayor said: "We want to do all we can to move swiftly and allay concerns. We know for the good of the town and the good of the residents we need to act swiftly and we would stress a significant number of homes will stay and there will be improvements to neighbourhoods and the environment."